UCLA ranked No. 21 in preseason AP poll

For the first time since 2007, UCLA will open the season ranked in the AP top 25.

The Bruins slotted in at No. 21 in the country in the Associated Press preseason poll, the same spot they held in the previously released USA Today Coaches Poll. UCLA last made the preseason rankings in 2007, when they clocked in at No. 14.

It is also the first time since 2001 that AP voters put UCLA above USC, 24th, in a preseason poll. Ranked No. 14 in the country, the Bruins opened the season with a 20-17 win at Alabama. For perspective, Alicia Keys’ “Fallin'” was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 that weekend, Jeepers Creepers opened No. 1 at the box office, and Will Ferrell was still on SNL.

Oregon and Stanford unsurprisingly led the Pac-12 ranked third and fourth, respectively. Oregon State is No. 25.

The full AP poll:

1. Alabama (58)
2. Ohio State (3)
3. Oregon
4. Stanford
5. Georgia
6. Texas A&M (1)
7. South Carolina
8. Clemson
9. Louisville
10. Florida
11. Notre Dame
12. Florida State
13. LSU
14. Oklahoma State
15. Texas
16. Oklahoma
17. Michigan
18. Nebraska
19. Boise State
20. TCU
21. UCLA
22. Northwestern
23. Wisconsin
24. USC
25. Oregon State